Law and Les Miserables Revisited
What if the film shows us a beautiful picture of law as well as gospel?
[ posted 1/11/2013 9:07AM ]
In its opening weeks at the box office, some reviewers have reluctantly praised Les Miserables while panning it for being too sincere and epic, laden with "unashamed, operatic-sized sentiments." This criticism is similar to the objections ...
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dennis mullen
I felt much like Mr. Dayton as I watched the film. I thought that the truth of the doctrines of grace (Reformed theology) was being put on view. Javert was buried by the weight of the law, and in and of his will (not free), he could not see grace and was convicted by the law, and chose to do what in a humanistic way was the noble thing to do. His suicide was the result of the great weight of law on our souls, and without grace it is too great a burden to bear. Whereas the great freedom Valjean felt from the amazing gift of grace compelled him to do as he did. As I watched I could not help but think how amazing grace truly is.
JAMES P RIGNEY
I'd love to hear some of the strong proponents of a Law/Gospel paradigm, which generally I find very helpful, weigh in here. Hood makes the very interesting point that when people practice the "royal law" of love, to borrow from James' letter, it becomes a means of grace for those who are the recipients of their love! This is a wonderful "use of the law" that I don't usually hear about in Law/Grace or Law/Gospel discussions. Hood causes me to think of what a blessing of grace the commands of Jesus are. Yes, they convict me of my failure and need for grace. But, they also open the door to a kingdom where love, forgiveness, and turning the other cheek is the "rule" rather than vengeance. That really is a kingdom of grace, even when we live it out imperfectly (as we always do). I want to embrace BOTH ways of receiving the commands of God!
PETE DAYTON
While I understand the main point of the article, and agree with the view of justice pursued, and the grace and forgiveness of the priest, I don't believe we are talking about mere "legalism" here in the film. I, too, felt compassion for Javert, but only because he couldn't understand the need for redemption and the offer of free Grace as resolution. He either simply chose not to (Arminian view) if he had the will and capacity to, or he was unable to make the right choice (Calvinistic view). We must remember the law points out our sin and thus the need for redemption.